Public Resources (lifelong learning)

The University of Newcastle is committed to fostering lifelong learning and ensuring equitable access to trusted, evidence-based information. In 2025, the University supported people beyond its enrolled student community through free certificate-bearing pathway courses, public library facilities and openly accessible online learning and research resources. These opportunities connect prospective students, school pupils, local residents and wider communities with knowledge, skills and educational facilities.

Free courses and pathways with a certificate

In 2025, the University offered Open Foundation as a free enabling pathway for people without the qualifications normally required for direct undergraduate entry. Participants develop academic and discipline-specific skills and receive a University of Newcastle Certificate of Attainment on successful completion. The programme also provides guaranteed entry to more than 70 University degrees, opening a supported route into further study for people who may not otherwise have been able to enter higher education.

An additional 2025 example was the free Newcastle Knights University Pathway Program for Knights players and staff. Running from 21 July to 14 November 2025, it offered on-campus, group and flexible online study in foundation subjects. Successful participants could earn an Open Foundation certificate, with the pathway providing access to more than 70 University degree programmes. This initiative extended certificate-bearing learning to a community whose work and sporting commitments can make conventional study difficult.

Free access to library facilities and equipment

Through our libraries at Callaghan and Newcastle City, the University provides welcoming community spaces that serve as hubs for learning, discovery and connection. During standard opening hours, eligible visitors can use study and reading areas, connect personal devices to guest Wi-Fi and consult selected electronic resources from designated community walk-in terminals. The University also has library and learning facilities supporting clinical education at Gosford and Tamworth; access at those sites differs from the open public-library arrangements.

Free library membership is available to alumni, local residents and secondary school students preparing for the HSC. Community members can borrow up to 50 physical items for two weeks, with up to five renewals and 10 hold requests, and can access selected digital and physical collections. Public terminal access depends on licence conditions, and community membership does not extend to student-only laptops, bookable rooms or after-hours study zones. These services make practical learning resources available to people who are not enrolled at the University.

Free online educational resources

In May 2025, the University launched Open Research Newcastle, its public institutional research repository, replacing NOVA. The service makes University research available without charge or login, including eligible journal articles, books, conference papers, higher degree research theses, creative works and research data. People outside the University can explore research and use it to inform professional practice, independent learning and community decision-making.

During Open Education Week from 3 to 7 March 2025, the University Library also promoted openly licensed teaching and learning resources, including its first open textbook, Diagnosis: A medical education game. These freely reusable materials complement the repository by providing educational content that can be accessed and adapted beyond formal enrolment.

Sharing research and practical knowledge with the community

The Conversation

The University of Newcastle's contribution to The Conversation reflects its commitment to translating research into public impact. In 2025, University academics authored 42 articles covering health, education, social policy, environmental sustainability, infrastructure and culture, making evidence-based knowledge accessible to a broad audience. The articles were cited in 385 news stories, helping to inform public discussion and decision-making on issues of community significance.

As a leading not-for-profit platform for research-informed journalism, The Conversation reported an approximate worldwide reach of 33 million in 2025 and 10.4 million page views across Australia and New Zealand, with around 88% of readers coming from outside the higher education sector. These platform-wide readership measures, provided in the University's draft, demonstrate the potential audience for publicly shared academic expertise rather than the University of Newcastle's individual readership.

CIFAL Newcastle

CIFAL Newcastle is a Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders, a United Nations/UNITAR International Training and Outreach centre hosted by the University of Newcastle. Its core mission is to build the capacity of individuals, organisations, institutions and communities through education and training supporting the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Training programmes are designed for government officials, private enterprises and people from civil society.

A range of courses are offered to the public, some are free and others are full fee paying. Previous CIFAL Newcastle online short courses in disaster risk reduction included free participation, with a small optional fee to obtain a UNITAR–CIFAL Certificate of Completion. This distinction enables learners to access knowledge without charge while recognising that some accredited or award-bearing options involve a fee; the 2021 course example is historical context, not independently verified as a 2025 enrolment.

By combining free pathway education, community-access library services and research made freely available online, the University opens valuable learning opportunities beyond formal undergraduate and postgraduate study. Its researchers and training partnerships further extend these resources to people and organisations seeking practical knowledge throughout life.

Search

    Course readings Subject resource guides Databases A-Z eJournals and eBooks

    Borrowing

    Use your student, staff or membership card to borrow from our self-service kiosks. Speak with our friendly team at our service zones if you need assistance.

    Renewing and returning

    Log in to your MyLibrary account to see a full list of your current loans, holds and requests.

    General collection items will be automatically renewed up to 5 times 2 days before the due date, provided that the item has not been recalled. If the item cannot be automatically renewed and must be returned to the Library, you will receive a courtesy email informing you that your book is due for return 2 days prior to the due date.

    Your loaned items can be returned to any University of Newcastle Library.

    After Hours return chutes are located near the entrances to the Auchmuty Library, the Newcastle City Campus Library.

    If you have any questions or are experiencing extenuating circumstances please contact the Library for support.

    Restrictions on renewals

    Recalled items, equipment and course reading loans as well as items that have already been renewed 5 times cannot be renewed.

    Recalled items

    You are guaranteed a minimum of 14 days with items borrowed from the general collection, after which if another Library patron places a hold on your item it will be recalled and you must return it by the new due date.

    You will be emailed via your student / staff/ guest email address with the due date of the recalled item. Borrowing privilege restrictions will apply for late return.

    Overdues, fines and replacement costs

    The following fines apply to overdue items:

    For all other overdue items, your borrowing privileges will be suspended until the items are returned.

    Staff and students of the University of Newcastle can pay Library fines via the online payment portal. Once payment is complete it will take a few minutes for your University record to be cleared.

    For all other library patrons, please use the Community Members Payment form and allow 1 business day for your Library membership account to be updated.

    Loss of borrowing privileges

    You will not be able to borrow if you have overdue items or fines over $15 on your record.

    Lost / damaged replacement costs

    When an item has been lost or damaged, you will be charged the replacement cost plus a non-refundable $20 administration fee.

    Placing a request

    If you have found an item through Library Search that you would like to request from another University of Newcastle campus library or that is currently on loan, you can place a request.

    Simply log in with your student or staff credentials, and then select the 'Request or Booking' option and follow the prompts.

    Borrowing for distance students

    Students living outside the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens local government areas are eligible to request print books and other items to be mailed to them from:

    • The University of Newcastle Library collection
    • Other institution's collections via inter-library loan

    Items can only be posted to an Australian address.

    If you live close to another University Library you can also apply to become a ULANZ member and borrow from their collection. See our membership section for more information.

    Requesting University of Newcastle Items

    To request an item that is owned by the University of Newcastle Library:

    1. Login to in MyLibrary and check that you do not have any fines, fees, or blocks
    2. Check that your address is up to date in the “Personal Details” tab
    3. Locate the item you want in Library Search
    4. Click on “Request or Booking”
    5. Select “Home Delivery- Distance Students Only” as your pick up location

    Requesting Items from Other Libraries

    If you would like to request an item that is not held by the University of Newcastle library you can place a request through Inter Library Loans.

    Ensure you select the “Home Delivery- Distance Students Only” pick up location to have the item automatically posted to your address saved in MyLibrary.

    Library Material You Are Unable to Borrow

    • 7 day loans or Course Readings
    • Archives, Rare Books & Special Collections
    • Laptops and equipment

    Returning Loans

    Return items by mail in padded envelopes to the Auchmuty Library. Allow enough time for return by the date due.  A return postbag is supplied and funded by SSAF.

    If you have any questions or are experiencing any problems placing your request, please contact us.

    Borrowing from other libraries

    University of Newcastle students and staff can request items from other institutions that are not held in the Library’s collections (including book loans, book chapters, journal articles, research reports and papers from conference proceedings).

    Who can request items?

    All University of Newcastle students and staff can use this service, including off-campus students, who can request items to be posted to their home address. Students and staff located at Newcastle Australia IHE can request a digital copy of a journal article or book chapter from the library’s collection.

    How do I submit a request?

    1. Go to Library Search.
    2. Sign in and then search for the item.
    1. If the item does not appear in the results, select ‘Expand My Results’.
    1. If you find the item in the results, select the ‘Get it for me from other libraries’. You will then be presented with the following options:
    • Get a physical copy (book/item loan)
      • Select the ‘Pick up location’
      • Click ‘Send’ to submit the request
    • Get a digital copy (scan of a book chapter or journal article)
      • Fill in the additional information
      • Read and agree to the copyright terms
      • Click ‘Send’ to submit the request

    Please note: All digitisation requests are subject to Australian Copyright Legislation, which may limit how much you can request from a book or a journal.

    1. If the item you require is not appearing in the results, select the ‘Still didn’t find what you need? Click here to send a request’ link located at the top of the search results. Fill in the request form, entering as many details as possible about the item, then click ‘Send’.
    1. Your request has now been submitted and the Library will email you when your request is ready.

    When will I receive my request?

    Depending on the location of the supplier and availability of the item/s, articles are usually received within 1 week and books are usually received within 2 weeks of your request being processed. If an item is located overseas, it may take longer to arrive.

    How will I receive my requested item?

    Digital copies of articles/chapters from books will be delivered to your University of Newcastle email address within the timeframe outlined above. Please Note: digital copies are available for 30 days or 5 views only – you must download and save the document within that timeframe if you wish to keep a permanent copy.

    Books, or other physical items will be available for pick up from library selected as the pick-up location in the request form—you will be notified by email when your loan is ready. Off campus student requests will be sent to the home address, unless otherwise informed.

    What if there is a problem with the copy I have received?

    Please notify us if there are any problems with the quality of the copy as soon as possible
    T: +61 2 4921 5940
    E: library-ill@newcastle.edu.au
    Please allow 24 hours for a response to your email.

    Having trouble?

    Speak with our friendly team on Library Chat who can assist you with logging into the system or any other general issues you’re experiencing.

    Library membership

    Anyone can use our Library spaces during opening hours*. Joining the Library allows you to borrow items and access additional facilities and services.

    Current staff and students can use their staff or student ID card as a membership card.

    Community members, including Alumni and High School Students studying for their HSC, can join the University of Newcastle Library for free. Just complete the membership application form to join. Once your application has been processed, you can collect your membership card from your nominated library during opening hours. Your membership will be valid for three years from the date you collect your card and is easily renewed by contacting our library staff. High School Students will need to submit a signed parental consent form in addition to the membership application form.

    Students studying at a participating University Libraries of Australia and New Zealand (ULANZ) institution should complete the membership application form and provide proof of current enrolment/employment at your home institution. Memberships are free and are valid until 28 February of the following year. A new application must be lodged each year.

    University of Newcastle students who wish to join a participating ULANZ library should register directly at the library that you wish to borrow from. The borrowing conditions of the host library apply.

    *Note Newcastle City Campus Library is only accessible to community members and alumni during NUSpace open access hours.

    Call numbers

    What are call numbers?

    Items in the library are organised using Library Classifications, these systems use ‘call numbers’ (codes) to catalogue items and indicate their location on the shelves based on subject or item type. The call number will be listed when you search for an item and you can use the guides below to help you find it in the library, using the relevant guide depending on what kind of item you are locating.

    A break down of the components of a call number in the Dewey Decimal Classification

    Call number reference guides:

    Show more

    If the item is not on the shelf:

    • Ensure the item is held at the library you are in.
    • Items may be in use by another student but not borrowed.
    • It may be a Course Reading; and stored with other course readings.
    • You can place a request for an item that is on loan or held at another library via the catalogue and we will let you know when it is ready.
    • If you require assistance, please go to the Library Service Zone - staff will be happy to help.